Song (Laulu)

Selma Vilhunen:
Song (Laulu) (Finland, 2014)
82 min. • Finnish

Before written language, there was song. All information was transmitted orally and stored in memory. The memory contained all the wisdom of past generations.

Jussi Huovinen, aged 89, is the only inhabitant of his village, Hietajärvi. He is also the last living Finn who has learned the art of runolaulu, a folkloric music tradition that is thousands of years old, from his own mother and father. Hanneriina Moisseinen, 35, is a visual and comics artist who wants to learn his songs and all the wisdom they entail. Hanneriina�€�s Icelandic friend, Sólveig, another oral poet, also travels to Hietajärvi to meet Jussi. Even though they don�€�t have a common language, Jussi and Sólveig form a strong connection and find kindred spirits in each other.

This delicate, atmospheric film follows the lives of Hanneriina and Jussi for two and a half years and witnesses sorrow, longing and joy entwine beautifully. There is power in song that makes people connect, regardless of time and space, and become a part of something bigger. Jussi describes the idea of a creative process eloquently: �€�Be present, focus on what you are doing and be truly yourself. Don�€�t imagine being someone else.�€�

» www.lauluelokuva.fi

< back

Selma Vilhunen: Song

Screening time:
Tapio 4 • Sun 16th Nov at 5:15pm

< back